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Two-Dimensional and Multi-Experimental Modeling of Polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

W. K. Metzger ,
M. Gloeckler  and
R. K. Ahrenkiel
W. K. Metzger
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401
M. Gloeckler
Affiliation:
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
R. K. Ahrenkiel
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 80401
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Abstract

We use two-dimensional simulations to explore if charged columnar grain boundaries (GBs) in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells increase device performance. Although the simulations confirm that charged GBs can increase photocurrent by forming minority-carrier collection channels, this generally occurs at the expense of overall efficiency. Furthermore, improvements in photocurrent require significant GB minority collection beyond a diffusion length of the space-charge region. This collection from deep within the base can be detected by quantum efficiency (QE) spectra, electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) experiments, near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), and fast photoluminescence decay. Simulations of all these experiments indicate that GB charge sufficient to significantly increase photocurrent collection is generally inconsistent with actual observations.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 865: Symposium F – Thin-Film Compound Semiconductor Photovoltaics , 2005 , F10.4
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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